Dive in for the Melton Lions Swimarahton and raise money for good causes

It's time to fetch your goggles, arm bands, trunks and swim suits.
Members of Melton Mencap PHOTO: Supplied EMN-160418-104306001Members of Melton Mencap PHOTO: Supplied EMN-160418-104306001
Members of Melton Mencap PHOTO: Supplied EMN-160418-104306001

Teams of swimmers are being sought for an annual charity challenge which has raised more than £97,000 for Melton causes over the last 16 years.

The Melton Mowbray Lions Swimarathon will be held at Waterfield Leisure Centre on Saturday, April 1, with children and adults, both able-bodied and disabled, set to take part once again in 55 minute slots.

Charities and other causes which will benefit from the event - now in its 17th year - are the Mencap and Surestart Volunteers (The Cove, The Edge and Fairmead Groups), Melton Mayor David Wright’s appeal for Rainbows and Melton First Responders, and various local projects supported by the Lions.

Competitors in the Swimarathon charity event organised by Melton Lions PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-160502-112107001Competitors in the Swimarathon charity event organised by Melton Lions PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-160502-112107001
Competitors in the Swimarathon charity event organised by Melton Lions PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-160502-112107001

Lions President Sabrina Tate said: “Enter a team and swim because it’s a fun event for all ages and levels of competence. We urge you to have a go and enjoy yourself.

“The event involves teams, normally six people, swimming continuously for 55 minutes with only one person swimming at a time. The aim of the team is to complete as many lengths as possible in that time. The main objective is to raise money for charity and we ask each team member to find sponsors.

“Don’t be put off by the event title. No team of individual is being asked to swim and unduly long distance, the average being 20 lengths per person.

“There are no hard fast rules about how a team should organise itself, as long as there is only one team member swimming at a time. Some may like to swim a length in turn; others may want to split the time among themselves. All we ask is that inexperienced or out of condition swimmers don’t try to exceed their capacity.

Melton Lions Swimarathon PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-150323-171102001Melton Lions Swimarathon PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-150323-171102001
Melton Lions Swimarathon PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-150323-171102001

“There will be several trophies for certain categories including one for the most original team name, so get your creative thinking cap on.”

Swimming will start on the hour from 10.30am-4.30pm. Teams will not be competing against each other, neither will individuals.

To get an entry form for this year’s Swimarathon email Mrs Tate at [email protected] or call her on 01664 858988 or 07860 102223.

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